Hello, I would like to ask for help choosing a motherboard with these characteristics: Intel chipset, LGA-2011 socket, SATA 3 for at least 3 disks (two solid-state), about 10 USB ports, >1 Gbit Ethernet, Linux compatibility.
I have a candidate, Gigabyte X79S-UP5, but it is a new board and possibly not supported. Maybe some older model? Really, any advice is appreciated.
Also, an integrated graphics card would be preferred for compatibility reasons, but not required. Basically, the computer will be used for processing large quantities of stored data, so we need fast reading (SSD and appropriate motherboard). I am not sure what Linux distro we will be using (it will probably depend on the hardware support), but it will be 64-bit.

It does not follow. (Maybe ten years ago that statement can hold, but not today.) You do not need an older model to run Gnu/Linux today, although Gnu/Linux and *nix have better edge at making older machines useful.

Since you intend to use the machine for heavy data processing there is more reason that you will run Gnu/Linux on it. As to the type of distro to install you have plenty of choices here.

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

m.m.